Is the ISS visible tonight?
Live answer for your location — computed from the station's current orbit, updated continuously.
It depends on where you are.
Pick your location below and this page answers instantly — with tonight's exact time if the station is coming over.
When will the ISS pass over you?
Visible passes only — after dusk or before dawn, shown in the selected location's local time.
Enter a location to see upcoming passes.
How tonight's answer is calculated
The International Space Station circles Earth every ~90 minutes, but you can only see it when three conditions line up at once: it passes near your location, your sky is dark, and the station itself is still catching sunlight 400 km up. That narrow overlap is why passes cluster in the couple of hours after sunset and before sunrise.
This page runs those calculations in your browser using the station's latest orbital elements — the same NORAD data professional trackers use — and shows only genuinely visible passes, in your location's local time. See the live map for where the station is right now, or read the full spotting guide for tips on getting the best view.
Quick answers
What time is the ISS visible tonight?
It depends on your location — the ISS is only visible during a pass over your area in the hour or two after sunset or before sunrise. Enter your town above and this page shows tonight's exact local time, or the next upcoming pass if there isn't one tonight.
Why isn't the ISS visible every night?
Three things have to line up: the station must fly near your location, your sky must be dark, and the station must still be lit by the Sun. That combination comes in cycles — typically a run of good evening passes for a week or two, then a quiet stretch. Email alerts are the easiest way to catch the next window.
What does the ISS look like when it passes over?
A bright, steady, star-like point of light moving smoothly across the sky — no blinking lights, no sound, much faster than a plane. A good pass lasts two to six minutes and can outshine everything in the night sky except the Moon.
Do I need a telescope or an app to see the ISS?
No. The ISS is easily visible with the naked eye, and this page works in any browser — no app or sign-up required. Just check the time, step outside a few minutes early, and look toward the direction shown.
Looking for a specific city? See ISS pass times by city, or learn what the ISS actually is.